The science & practice of successfulweight loss & maintenance

Time is on my side, yes it is.Time is on my side, yes it is.​- Rolling Stones, 1964

​Time is a key element in the process of self-change. It takes time to do the things we need to do to achieve our goals. This requires organization and prioritizing, to "make" the time that it takes. It also takes time for the changes to manifest. We can do all the right things, and still have to wait to see the positive results. Sometimes, in fact, it seems that nothing is happening, and we have to search inside for the patience, to give it more time.

​It is true that time is a limited resource. It's something we can't buy more of. As we get older it seems that time speeds up, as we sense that we have less and less of it. The moments become more precious when we understand that we can't get them back. Time spent with family and friends is not to be wasted.

These insights are by no means easy to assimilate. They point out the essential things in life, and remind us to pay attention, to take it in. At the same time, there is the anticipation of endings and loss. All good things must come to an end. This too shall pass. Everything is impermanent. These are some of the hard truths of life. But it is how we deal with the existential dilemma that matters. Do we collapse into depression because nothing lasts so nothing matters, or do we seize the day, and savour each and every drop of it?

These philosophical questions have everything to do with the pursuit of better weight control, even if you're unlikely to confront them in any popular diet book. In choosing to take on the challenge of weight control, one is accepting that 1. it will take time to get there, 2. it will take time to stay there, 3. there's no telling how long you will get to enjoy the fruits.

Furthermore, weight control has everything to do with how you deal with the moments, as well as the days, weeks, months and years. In the moment, there is often an urgency, a need to satisfy a desire, an emptiness, a hunger, or some other impulse, that pushes you to act NOW. You need to pull back, give yourself time, to think, and to choose to stay the course.

Being in the moment, you can pay full attention to preparing the food you like, only as much as you need, eating it slowly, savouring each bite, and taking a moment to reflect, so that you remember, that it was good, and satisfying, and will be enough to last until the next time....

Time is on your side, if you allow it to be.​Lastly, remember that the next 5 years will pass, whether you're paying attention or not. Better to be there, and make the most of it. Think how happy you'll be in 5 years, looking back on all the intelligent efforts you've made and all that you've accomplished, and enjoyed.​Stephen Stotland, Ph.D.

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This blog presents some of our ideas about the key issues involved in achieving successful long-term weight control.​If you appreciate what you read, please like it on Facebook.